PCOS/Clomid Intro (long, sorry!)

Cort711

Hi ladies!  I am a newbie, though I have been lurking for quite a few months.  I am Cortney and husband is Tom.  We have been together for 5 years, married in July of 09 and we have just started TTC.  In April 10' I went to my GYN after my periods started lasting longer than a month at a time.  I was dx with PCOS and hyperplasia (a later biopsy showed that I am now hyperplasia free) and was put on birth control (We wanted to wait to TTC until we could change insurance plans in January).  January is here and I just went to my OB and he gave me a prescription for 50mg of clomid.  I am supposed to start my cycle around Jan.18th however my OB said that it is possible that what I thought were my periods before was just bleeding from my lining being so built up from high levels of estrogen, and I that I could possibly not have been having my period at all.

Wow this is way longer than I intended and I've done a lot of rambling!  My concern is that my OB did not mention anything about monitoring. The plan he wrote out for us is as follows: Day 5-9 of cycle take clomid, abstain from ejaculation day 11 & 12, day 13 take OPK and have sex every other day until OPK reads positive, then sex that day and day after.  He did not mention anything about being monitored or blood work.  Should  I be concerned?  After reading prior posts I am thinking that I should ask to be referred to a specialist (our insurance requires specialist referrals, anyway).  If I should be seeing an RE, how do I go about asking my OB for a referral?

mishele

Hi Cort!

I would definitely ask your OB about monitoring and a referral if you're going on Clomid.  My OB did the same thing but at the time I didn't know anything about s/e, monitoring, etc.  So, I wasted a few months until I went to my RE. 

Good luck!

genmalone

I'm really confused.  Is this your first month TTC?  If so, why did your Dr prescribe Clomid?  I know you've been diagnosed with PCOS (me too) but I would still give it time to happen naturally and also for your cycles to regulate after coming off BCP.

As for montitoring, I would be very concerned.  I don't even know where to begin... By cd13 you could of missed your O, without u/s you will have no idea if the clomid is working or how many follies you are producing and at what rate they are maturing.  Also, clomid can thin your lining to the point of not being able to conceive and can also cause cysts that can rupture.  Without u/s you will never know if its working or if you are at risk of other complications.

I wish you the best of luck but if I was you I would give it a few months before jumping to Clomid.  Its not a fun medication to take.  When you are ready for treatment I would definitely go to an RE.

baloneydisc

Definately atleast speak to your OB about monitoring.  You really should have an HSG & an SA for your DH before going on Clomid because if you have blocked tubes or he has a sperm issue Clomid isn't going to help you any.  If your OB won't monitor you just ask for a referal to an RE.

Cort711

I'm sorry, in all of my rambling I did not mention that two biopsys showed that I am not ovulating and have not been for quite some time.  That is why my OB is starting me off on clomid.  I am confused too

leecrystalwed08

Welcome! Sorry you have to be here. This PCOS crap sucks!

I think starting you on Clomid right away is fine. After talking to alot of these ladies I do really recommend being followed by an RE sooner than later like I did. The only thing you have to do to get a referral is to call your OB office and ask them to send one to the provider you would like to see. Have you researched your local RE's?

Good Luck and hope your stay here is short